zealous Hear it!

zealous Definition

zeal·ous (zeləs)

adjective

full of, characterized by, or showing zeal; ardently devoted to a purpose; fervent; enthusiastic

Etymology: ML zelosus < LL(Ec) zelus: see zeal

zealous Related Forms

zeal·ously adverb zeal·ous·ness noun

zealous Synonyms

zealous

modif.

zealous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • reformer: Henry was a forceful and energetic character, a fervent and zealous reformer in the mold of Bernard.
  • preacher: He embraced the tenets of Fox, and became aim ardent disciple of the zealous preacher.
  • defender: The 5th Duke was a zealous defender of the Established Church at all times.
  • advocate: Interesting herself particularly in the education of girls, she was a zealous advocate for the extensive teaching of domestic economy.
  • pursuit: Salinas's zealous pursuit of ' free market ' policies made him a darling of the Western media.

Modifying Another Word

  • overly: This can only encourage firms not to be overly zealous in attempting to resolve alleged shortcomings of service.
  • over: We strongly caution against anyone against being over zealous in these matters.
  • too: There is an excellent archway down yonder in case a too zealous policeman should intrude.
  • so: The Lord is so zealous for his law, that he will part with it for no man's sake.
  • very: However, an Address to the Coal Miners develops into a very zealous piece of propaganda.
  • extremely: Unfortunately his extremely zealous brand of police work means that Starsky burns through partners faster than his beloved Gran Torino goes through spark plugs.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Local authorities are now becoming increasingly zealous - desperate even - about getting us to recycle more of our rubbish.
  • seem: Evangelical theology is being decimated by this teaching that seems so zealous " to discover how sparse the faith that justifies can be.

Preposition: in

  • cause: Fearless and zealous in the cause of others he had gone forward to reconnoiter the enemy's lines, when he fell mortally wounded.
  • obedience: Thirdly, assurance makes us zealous in obedience and service.

Preposition: of

gift: Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Preposition: for

  • law: In John 2:27 Jesus has " zeal " and in Acts 21:20 James ' followers are " zealous for the Law " .
  • work: They not only have good works to prove the reality of their faith, but they are zealous for good works.
  • deed: Verse 14, because God is purifying for Himself a people for His own possessions zealous for good deeds.

Browse dictionary entries near zealous

  1. zealot
  2. Zealand
  3. zeal
  4. ZDSF
  5. ZC
  6. ZB
  7. zazen
  8. zayin
  9. Zatopek, Emil
  10. zarzuela
  1. zealously
  2. zebec
  3. Zebedee
  4. zebra
  5. zebra crossing
  6. zebra finch
  7. zebra fish
  8. zebra mussel
  9. zebrawood
  10. zebu